Arthur Cleveland Amsler

Male, #15721, (26 Aug 1884 - 23 May 1975)
Father*Samuel Amsler
Mother*Martha Jane Culpepper
Birth*26 Aug 1884 Arthur was born at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas, on 26 Aug 1884. 
Employment* Arthur's occupation: S. Amsler Co.. 
1900 Census1 Jun 1900 Sam, Walter and Arthur was listed as a son in Samuel Amsler's household on the 1900 Census at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas.1 
1910 Census15 Apr 1910 Arthur was listed as a son in Samuel Amsler's household on the 1910 Census at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas.2 
Marriage*7 Jul 1914 He married Roberta Witt at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas, on 7 Jul 1914 at age 29. 
Birth of Son16 Apr 1915 His son Robert Witt Amsler was born on 16 Apr 1915 at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Death of Mother26 Mar 1926 His mother Martha Jane Culpepper died on 26 Mar 1926 at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Death of Father4 Mar 1934 His father Samuel Amsler died on 4 Mar 1934 at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas.3 
Death of Spouse19 Oct 1974 His wife Roberta Witt died on 19 Oct 1974 at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Death*23 May 1975 He died at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas, on 23 May 1975 at age 90. 
Burial*24 May 1975 His body was interred on 24 May 1975 at McGregor City Cemetery, McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Biography* Lena Amsler wrote in a 29 Jun 1978 letter: Cleve... graduated at the University of Texas... with a B. A. and a C. E. degrees. He could have been a first rate engineer but like our father he had to have a place to grow things - especially pecan trees & flowers & other trees. He owned a beautiful pecan place on the Leon River across from Mother Neff Park - the first state park in Texas.
      Lena wrote in an 11 May 1950 letter to her cousin, Mrs. W. T. (Eldora Griffin) Dean, that "Cleve just finished a four year term as mayor and refused it again to our delight."
      The following obituary is from The McGregor Mirror, McGregor, TX, Thursday, May 29, 1975: Cleve Amsler, 91 buried Saturday A. Cleve Amsler, former mayor and life-long booster of beautification in McGregor, died 8:15 a.m. Friday in a McGregor nursing home. He was 91. Funeral services were held at Amsler's Chapel 2 p.m. Saturday and burial was in McGregor Cemetery, with Rev. R. Terry Nelson, pastor of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Mr. Amsler, who was born in McGregor on August 26, 1884 and spent most of his life here, had been a resident of a McGregor nursing home for several years. His life prior to that time had been one of service and work in and for McGregor. The third son of S. Amsler who founded S. Amsler Co. here in 1883, he attended McGregor public schools and graduated from McGregor High School in 1900. In 1905, he received a civil engineering degree from the University of Texas. For three years he did engineering work in Texas and Mexico, but then returned to McGregor to stay. He worked with the oil mill for a while and for the First National Bank for two years. In 1914, he became manager of the oil mill. Mr. Amsler served as an officer in Corps of Engineers during WWI. When he returned to McGregor, he went to work for S. Amsler Co., remaining with the family firm as head of the lumber and building department and later as manager until the business closed in 1967. Mr. Amsler had been a director of the First National Bank for 40 years. He was mayor of McGregor from 1946 until 1950. He was a director of the S. Amsler Co. at Crawford for many years, he was a Blue Lodge Mason and past master of Lodge No. 376, past president of the McGregor Chamber of Commerce, a member of the McGregor Rotary Club, a Sunday School teacher, a Boy Scout leader and a member of the official board of the Methodist Church. He and Miss Roberta Witt were married in McGregor on July 7, 1914. Mrs. Amsler who operated Our Town Studio here and organized the McGregor Garden Club preceded him in death last year. Their son, Robert W. Amsler, received a Ph.D. from the University of Texas in 1950 and is professor and associate dean at the University of Texas at Arlington. Throughout his adult life, Mr. Amsler encouraged the beautification of McGregor. He became especially fond of crepe myrtles and caused thousands of bushes to be planted in and around McGregor. Very few yards in McGregor are without crepe myrtles. He also was an expert on trees and encouraged their planting, also. His chief hobby was breeding and growing improved pecans, and he spent much of his spare time in budding and grafting improved strains. He won several prizes for his Mahans, Burketts, and other papershells in statewide competition exhibits. From time to time, Mr. Amsler would run quizzes in The Mirror in an effort to create an interest in trees. He was instrumental in publicizing two McGregor trees to the point that they became state champions. When the Amsler Estate gave the acreage for Amsler Memorial Park, Mr. Amsler held a small strip of land on the edge of the park where he planted hundreds of trees of many varieties. Survivors include a son; two grandchildren, Malcolm and Melissa Amsler; two great-grandchildren, Christopher and Elizabeth Amsler; a sister, Miss Lena Amsler; and a nephew, Sam H. Amsler, Jr., a McGregor attorney. Pallbearers were Parke D. Evers, Ernie Esch, Harris Fagg, Henry Hill, Franklin Hodel and Elmer Roberts.
      The following editorial by Mrs. Margaret Smith is from an unknown source: McGregor was Mr. Cleve's town When you dig into the history of McGregor, the name Amsler appears over and over again--whether it is in church affairs, in banking, in civic service or just in every day living. I'd like to take time out to write a few words about a man who loved McGregor in its good times and its bad ones, in spite of its faults and its vices; who never criticized it and who never ceased to think and plan and work for its future. Cleve Amsler was that man. As I sat at his funeral, many memories of the past went through my mind. When I was a child he taught the Boys's Sunday School Class (that meant the trouble-makers!) at the Methodist Church. He had a large group each Sunday and we envied the boys and wished we could go to his class, too. During the war Mr. Cleve was serving as Mayor of McGregor and toured the downtown with the local law one Saturday night. Afterwards he told me how shocked he had been--McGregor was a typical war boom town in every sense of the word--but he was not critical; he was only concerned about what could be done about the many problems that existed. Another time when I had my children at the McGregor pool, I talked to Mr. Cleve as he worked planting pecan trees and crepe myrtles in the strip of land he owned next to the park. He was not young then, and was hauling the water and digging the holes himself; he said he was planting for the children of the future. Mr. Cleve was an engineering graduate of Texas University and could have gone almost anywhere in the world to work. He talked to me about that once and said he could have made a lot more money and been more successful if he had left McGregor. But he had no regrets because this was HIS TOWN. "My town, right or wrong, my town." He believed it; he lived it and he died still convinced it was the best town in the world. I find myself complaining and griping about many things here. And yet--Mr. Cleve was born here when McGregor was only 2 years old; he lived here almost 91 years and I never heard him say a critical word about it. If all of us had the same dedication to McGregor that Cleve Amsler had, it could and would indeed be the "best town in the world." God bless you, Mr. Cleve; we'll miss you. 

Family

Roberta Witt
Marriage*7 Jul 1914 He married Roberta Witt at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas, on 7 Jul 1914 at age 29. 
Child
ChartsBenjamin (son of Joseph) Culpepper of Edgecombe Co., NC: Descendant Chart
John Culpepper of Randolph Co, AL: Descendant Chart
Last Edited22 Dec 2002

Citations

  1. 1900 Federal Census, United States.
    ED 87, Sheet 4B, Pg 168A, Pct 5, Gen, com Img 8, McGregor, McLennan Co., TX
    Samuel Amsler, Head, M, Oct-1840, md-21 yrs, TX Switz Switz, Lumberman
    Martha J. (Culpepper) Amsler, Wife, F, Jul-1846, 53, md-21 yrs, Ch 4/4, GA SC SC
    Samuel H. Amsler, Son, M, Oct-1879, 20, S, TX TX GA, Bkkppr
    Walter Amsler, Son, M, Mar-1881, 18, S, TX TX GA
    Cleaveland Amsler, Son, M, Aug-1884, 15, S, TX TX GA
    Lena Amsler, Daughter, F, May-1886, 14, S, TX TX GA
    Anna Culpepper, Sister-in-Law, F, May-1842, 58, S, GA SC SC.
  2. 1910 Federal Census, United States.
    ED 104, Sheet 6A, Pg 96A, Gen.com Img11, Mc Gregor, McLennan Co., TX
    S. Amsler, Head, M, 69, M1, md-32, Tx Switz Switz, Merchant-Hdware
    Martha Jane Amsler, Wife, F, 63, M1, md-32, ch 4/4, GA SC SC
    Cleve Amsler, Son, M, 25, S, TX TX GA, Bkppr-Oil Mill
    Lena Amsler, Daughter, F, 23, S, TX TX GA, Teacher-PubSch
    Ann Culpepper, Sister-in-Law, F, 67, S, GA SC SC.
  3. Monyene Stearns and Pat Fehler, Deaths in Central Texas 1925-1934, .
    p. 126.

Roberta Witt

Female, #15722, (5 May 1889 - 19 Oct 1974)
Birth*5 May 1889 Roberta was born on 5 May 1889. 
Employment* Roberta's occupation: photographer. 
Marriage*7 Jul 1914 She married Arthur Cleveland Amsler at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas, on 7 Jul 1914 at age 25. 
Married Name7 Jul 1914  As of 7 Jul 1914, her married name was Amsler. 
Birth of Son16 Apr 1915 Her son Robert Witt Amsler was born on 16 Apr 1915 at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Death*19 Oct 1974 She died at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas, on 19 Oct 1974 at age 85. 
Burial*21 Oct 1974 Her body was interred on 21 Oct 1974 at McGregor City Cemetery, McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Biography* The following is from an unknown source: Garden Club plants tree for Mrs. Amsler The McGregor Garden Club honored its organizer and past president, the late Mrs. Roberta Amsler, with the planting of a pecan tree on Arbor Day at T. H. Jenkins Elementary School. Pictured above with the tree are two members of the Amsler family and members of the McGregor Garden Club. They are Mrs. Dick Thomas, Mrs. Bill Miller, Mrs. B. J. Allen, Miss Lena Amsler, Mrs. Frank Grantham, Mrs. Sam Amsler, Jr., and Mrs. Sherman Stearns, club president. Mrs. Amsler, who died late last year, organized the McGregor Garden Club on May 6, 1947, and she organized a Junior Garden Club in 1951. She served as president from 1955 to 1957. For 1957-58, she was chairman of beautification of McGregor, but throughout her years she served McGregor as an unofficial beautification chairman. She and her husband, Cleve Amsler, are responsible for thousands of crepe myrtle bushes being planted in McGregor, as well as countless trees. She also maintained a book and film library and was official photographer for the club. Photography was a business with her, as she owned Our Town Studio for many years. At one time she took a series of editorial pictures pointing to things that need correcting in the city. Mrs. Amsler is remembered as an authoritative speaker and lecturer, and a national flower show judge. She taught and lectured flower show schools on horticulture. Mr, and Mrs. Amsler were honored on Jan. 29, 1971, by several clubs--Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, Lion's Club, Rotary Club--and city of McGregor for their service to the community.
      The following obituary is from an unknown source: AMSLER, MRS. ROBERTA WITT Mrs. Roberta Witt Amsler, 85, of McGregor died 7:40 p.m. Saturday in a McGregor Rest Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday at Amsler Chapel, Rev. Terry Nelson officiating, burial in McGregor Cemetery. Survivors: Her husband; one son, Robert W. Amsler of Arlington; a sisters, Marion Witt of Woodbridge, Conn; one grandson, Malcolm M. Amsler of Fort Meade, Md; one granddaughter, Melissa M. Amsler of Arlington. The family will be at 1106 West Ninth in McGregor. Amsler Funeral Home, McGregor, phone 840-2833. 

Family

Arthur Cleveland Amsler
Marriage*7 Jul 1914 She married Arthur Cleveland Amsler at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas, on 7 Jul 1914 at age 25. 
Child
Last Edited9 Jul 1999

Lena May Amsler

Female, #15723, (12 May 1886 - 22 Jul 1979)
Father*Samuel Amsler
Mother*Martha Jane Culpepper
Birth*12 May 1886 Lena was born at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas, on 12 May 1886. 
Employment* Lena's occupation: teacher. 
1900 Census1 Jun 1900 Lena was listed as a daughter in Samuel Amsler's household on the 1900 Census at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas.1 
1910 Census15 Apr 1910 Lena was listed as a daughter in Samuel Amsler's household on the 1910 Census at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas.2 
1920 Census1 Jan 1920 Lena was listed as a daughter in Samuel Amsler's household on the 1920 Census at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas.3 
Death of Mother26 Mar 1926 Her mother Martha Jane Culpepper died on 26 Mar 1926 at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
1930 Census1 Apr 1930 Lena was listed as a daughter in Samuel Amsler's household on the 1930 Census at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas.4 
Death of Father4 Mar 1934 Her father Samuel Amsler died on 4 Mar 1934 at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas.5 
Death*22 Jul 1979 She died at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas, on 22 Jul 1979 at age 93. 
Burial*24 Jul 1979 Her body was interred on 24 Jul 1979 at McGregor City Cemetery, McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Biography* Lena was born and raised in McGregor, McLennan Co., TX. Like her older brother, Walt, she learned to play music. Lena wrote: [letter 17 Sep 1978] I began taking music lessons when I was seven.... I leaned more to the classical, but could play about anything popular except real rag time as it was called in my day.... I was accompanist for a little violin club there and we got ambitious enough to give one public concert. The only number I remembered that we played was Mendelssohn's Wedding March - the whole thing!! My German teacher was our critic and he didn't fail to criticize. When he came to our dormitory I often played for his solos. I really played above myself because I was afraid of him.
      For over 70 years Lena continued to play the piano and organ for the First Methodist Church to which she belonged. [letter 29 Jun 1978]
      Lena Amsler earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas in 1909 and she received a general certificate to teach. [letter 29 Jun 1978] She wrote that she wished that she had gone on for a Master's. [letter 15 Jan 1979] After graduation, Lena traveled to Switzerland [letter 16 Jun 1978] and returned to begin her teaching career. "Miss Lena" began teaching grade school in McGregor then moved on to teaching History and Government in high school. [letter 29 Jun 1978] After World War II, returning servicemen told her about being at historic locations in Europe and remembering the lessons they had learned from her. [obituary The McGregor Mirror and the Crawford Sun for Thursday, 16 Jul 1979] Lena retired in 1957 after teaching for 48 years. [obituary The McGregor Mirror and the Crawford Sun for Thursday, 16 Jul 1979] When she was 90 years old, an Associated Press writer, Rob Wood, interviewed Lena for an article [p. 4B of the Waco Tribune-Herald Waco, Texas for Wednesday, 23 Mar 1977] comparing the teachers of the 1970's to the teachers of the past and Lena indicated that she did whatever it took to get the job done and she wouldn't put up with the behavior of the modern students. Although described as weighing less than 100 pounds in the article, Lena wrote [letter 29 Jun 1978] "I wa 5 ft. 7 in. and I was no walking skeleton."

      Lena was active in Delta Kappa Gamma, Zeta Chapter and she created the "Lena Amsler Foundation Fund" to benefit students and teachers. [obituary The McGregor Mirror and the Crawford Sun for Thursday, 16 Jul 1979] Lena wrote: [letter 17 Sep 1978] I'm not boasting, but years ago I made a fortunate investment which in the last few years I cashed in on at an unbelievable profit I certainly didn't make a pile teaching - Recently I gave $5,000 for a new organ at the church - I haven't played on it yet, but I intend to try it out sometime!
      Lena traveled throughout North America and Europe [obituary The McGregor Mirror and the Crawford Sun for Thursday, 16 Jul 1979] and she continued to drive until her death [letter 25 Apr 1979] at the age of 93.
 
ChartsBenjamin (son of Joseph) Culpepper of Edgecombe Co., NC: Descendant Chart
John Culpepper of Randolph Co, AL: Descendant Chart
Last Edited22 Dec 2002

Citations

  1. 1900 Federal Census, United States.
    ED 87, Sheet 4B, Pg 168A, Pct 5, Gen, com Img 8, McGregor, McLennan Co., TX
    Samuel Amsler, Head, M, Oct-1840, md-21 yrs, TX Switz Switz, Lumberman
    Martha J. (Culpepper) Amsler, Wife, F, Jul-1846, 53, md-21 yrs, Ch 4/4, GA SC SC
    Samuel H. Amsler, Son, M, Oct-1879, 20, S, TX TX GA, Bkkppr
    Walter Amsler, Son, M, Mar-1881, 18, S, TX TX GA
    Cleaveland Amsler, Son, M, Aug-1884, 15, S, TX TX GA
    Lena Amsler, Daughter, F, May-1886, 14, S, TX TX GA
    Anna Culpepper, Sister-in-Law, F, May-1842, 58, S, GA SC SC.
  2. 1910 Federal Census, United States.
    ED 104, Sheet 6A, Pg 96A, Gen.com Img11, Mc Gregor, McLennan Co., TX
    S. Amsler, Head, M, 69, M1, md-32, Tx Switz Switz, Merchant-Hdware
    Martha Jane Amsler, Wife, F, 63, M1, md-32, ch 4/4, GA SC SC
    Cleve Amsler, Son, M, 25, S, TX TX GA, Bkppr-Oil Mill
    Lena Amsler, Daughter, F, 23, S, TX TX GA, Teacher-PubSch
    Ann Culpepper, Sister-in-Law, F, 67, S, GA SC SC.
  3. 1920 Federal Census, United States.
    ED 142, Sheet 7B, Pct 5, 502 Sixth StreetMcGregor, McLennan Co., TX
    Owns=Y, Farm=Y
    Sam Amsler, Head, M, 79, M, TX Switzerland Switzerland
    Martha J. Amsler, Wife, F, 73, S, GA SC SC
    Lena Amsler, Dau, F, 33, S, TX TX GA, School Teacher
    Ann Culpepper, Sister-in-Law, F, 77, S, GA SC SC.
  4. 1930 Federal Census, United States.
    ED 49, Sheet 13A, Pg 53, Pct. 5, McGregor, McLennan Co., TX
    Own=$7000, Radio=N, Farm=N, Military=N
    Sam Amsler, Head, M, 88, M, md@37, TX Switzerland Switzerland, Retired
    Lena Amsler, Dau, F, 43, S, TX TX GA, Teacher-Pub School
    S. A. Culpepper, Sister-in-Law, F, 87, S, GA GA GA.
  5. Monyene Stearns and Pat Fehler, Deaths in Central Texas 1925-1934, .
    p. 126.

Sam Houston Amsler Jr.

Male, #15724, (6 Feb 1907 - 11 Nov 1990)
Father*Sam Houston Amsler
Mother*Lucy Puckett
Birth*6 Feb 1907 Sam was born at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas, on 6 Feb 1907. 
Employment* Sam's occupation: attorney. 
Death of Mother21 Dec 1932 His mother Lucy Puckett died on 21 Dec 1932 at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Marriage*14 Sep 1942 He married Margaret Harris at Waco, McLennan Co., Texas, on 14 Sep 1942 at age 35. 
Death of Father9 Dec 1966 His father Sam Houston Amsler died on 9 Dec 1966 at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Death*11 Nov 1990 He died at Waco, McLennan Co., Texas, on 11 Nov 1990 at age 83. 
Burial*13 Nov 1990 His body was interred on 13 Nov 1990 at McGregor City Cemetery, McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Biography* The following obituary is from p. 6B of the Tribune-Herald for Monday, 12 Nov 1990: Sam Amsler Jr., longtime lawyer in McGregor Sam H. Amsler Jr., 83, a longtime McGregor attorney, died Sunday in Waco. Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Cole Funeral Home Chapel, the Rev. Barbara Lucas officiating. Burial will be in McGregor Cemetery. Mr. Amsler was born Feb. 6, 1907, in McGregor and graduated from Waco High School in 1924. He received his law degree from Baylor University [1942]. Mr. Amsler moved to New Mexico in 1929, returning to McGregor in 1940. He married Margaret Harris in 1942 in Waco, where he began his law practice with his wife and father-in-law. He began working part-time in McGregor in 1942, and that practice grew to the point that he moved to McGregor in 1950. He had lived there since. He practiced law for 48 years, many with the firm of Sherman Stearns. He was a member of the First Methodist Church of McGregor and was a former McGregor mayor. He was elected "Man of the Year" by the McGregor Chamber of Commerce in 1987. Survivors include his wife; a daughter Rikki Lewis of Waco; and his stepmother, Ethel Amsler of Waco. The family has designated for memorials First United Methodist Church, 500 S. Madison in McGregor, or the McGregor Ambulance Association in care of Frances Hudson, 311 S. Adams in McGregor, 76657.
      The law office of Amsler, Amsler & Associates, is located at 412 West Third Street, McGregor, TX 76657, phone: (817) 840-3291. The Amslers were also associated with the firm of Haley, Fulbright, Winniford, Bice and Davis in Waco, TX. 

Family

Margaret Harris
Marriage*14 Sep 1942 He married Margaret Harris at Waco, McLennan Co., Texas, on 14 Sep 1942 at age 35. 
Child
  • Frederika Amsler
ChartsBenjamin (son of Joseph) Culpepper of Edgecombe Co., NC: Descendant Chart
John Culpepper of Randolph Co, AL: Descendant Chart
Last Edited19 Jul 1999

Margaret Harris

Female, #15725, (15 Jun 1908 - 12 May 2002)
Father*Nat Harris
Birth*15 Jun 1908 Margaret was born on 15 Jun 1908. 
Marriage*14 Sep 1942 She married Sam Houston Amsler Jr. at Waco, McLennan Co., Texas, on 14 Sep 1942 at age 34. 
Married Name14 Sep 1942  As of 14 Sep 1942, her married name was Amsler. 
Biography* The following is from p. 6A of the Waco Tribune-Herald Waco, Texas, Monday, Nov. 4, 1974: Husband, Wife Lawyers Help McGregor Citizens By ELLEN MOORE Staff Writer McGREGOR - On a small brick building on McGregor's West Third Street, a tarnished plaque announces the legal firm of Amsler and Amsler housed inside. In one office, almost hidden behind a desk piled high with papers and books, a petite, gray-haired grandmother sipped a cup of black coffee. Lamplight reflected off the frames of her wire-rimmed glasses. Next door her husband discussed a land sale with a local couple. Outside a late afternoon storm was brewing as the sky darkened. Margaret and Sam Amsler were finishing a typical day at work. The Amslers have shared 32 years of marriage, the same law school and the same law firm. "Mrs. A," as "Mr. A" calls her, has office walls sporting impressive credentials. At 20 she received her bachelor's degree in English and French from Baylor University. Her master's came two years later from Wellesley where she majored in English literature. Her juris doctor was awarded by the Baylor University Law School in 1937 when Margaret Harris graduated the top student - and one of three women - in a class of 28. Five years later, in 1942, Sam Amsler graduated from the same law school. That year he and Margaret Harris became partners twice: once when he joined her father's law firm and again when they married. They have practiced together since. Mrs. Amsler's interest in law was nurtured by her father, Judge Nat Harris, who took her into his law firm in 1937. In 1942 her husband joined the firm. Soon Amsler was working in McGregor one day a week since there was no lawyer in town. As his business there increased, so did Mrs. A's trips to the county courthouse. "I always said I was Sam's 'leg man,'" Mrs. Amsler said. "Since I worked in Waco and the county courthouse is here, I'd have to go down and do research for him." Mrs. Amsler said before long, her husband's practice in McGregor required him to be there every day. Also, the Amslers were about to build a home and decided to build in McGregor. "McGregor is Sam's hometown," Mrs. Amsler said. "His grandfather was one of the town's founding fathers. He was born and raised here. I knew Sam in high school, and we knew each other at Baylor as undergraduates." Amsler said he did a tremendous volume of business in McGregor when he worked alone. Since Mrs. Amsler has begun full time practice, the two discuss cases - and the law - before arriving at solutions to clients' problems. "It's great having Margaret here," Amsler said. "Before, I didn't have time to do all the research I would have liked to. There's just something about having someone to discuss things with. Margaret understands my work, and I understand hers. She can remember more law than I can read, so when I have a question, I don't read the Texas statutes - I ask Margaret." Mrs. Amsler retired from the faculty of the Baylor law school in 1972 after a 30-year tenure. She is the longest fulltime tenured faculty member in the law school's history. Now she handles corporate law cases, estates, and inheritance and estate tax returns, which, she said, "frequently drive men up the wall." She also takes cases involving commercial transactions, agreements and partnerships, negotiable instruments, corporations and contracts - areas which "generally follow the courses I taught," she said. Amsler handles cases involving will probate, estate planning, real estate sales and transactions and the preparation of other legal documents, such as adoption papers. Neither Amsler does trial work. "Neither of us feels he has the personality for trial work," Mrs. Amsler said. "We have a young man with us who does our trial work." Mrs. Amsler said she never encountered discrimination or animosity because she was a woman working in what was considered a man's field. "No, I just never ran into any of that," she said. "Of course, I think you find what you look for." She said some of her women students at Baylor have worked in the Waco district attorney's office. Mrs. Amsler attributes part of success in avoiding sex discrimination to her parents. "I think part of it is the way I was raised. Mother and Father both got degrees from Baylor in 1900," Mrs. Amsler said. "I was raised by parents who thought the mind ought to be developed, and sex had nothing to do with making full use of your mind." Mrs. Amsler said her mother had "story hours" during which she would read to her five children. Working in the same field and firm with his wife has helped their communication with each other, Amsler said. "One night Sam had a client come to the house," Mrs. Amsler said, and Sam asked me to come in. During the course of the evening, Sam and I discussed the client's case back and forth. When the man got up to leave, he told Sam he and I had talked more in those few hours than he and his wife had in 20 years." Although the law has changed more quickly in recent years, Mrs. Amsler said basic rules have not. "The law is not static," she said. "The history of law is that it has adapted to changing times. The change has been a little more rapid in recent times. Law is a living thing." Because law is a changing thing, Mrs. Amsler said business law courses ought to be taught on the high school level so people will be aware of law and how it affects them. Mrs. Amsler will represent McGregor in City of Waco vs. City of McGregor before the state Supreme Court this week. To the courtroom she takes an impressive list of credentials, most of which her husband listed: -Mrs. Amsler is the only woman to achieve the rank of full professor in a Texas law school. -She served as McLennan County's representative to the state legislature from 1939 to 1941. -She was acting dean of the Baylor law school in 1946 when the school reopened after World War II. -She received the first Texas Bar Association President's Award in 1961 for her work in drafting Texas corporate laws for the legislature. The tempo of the Amsler firm is a leisurely one. "We have a different relationship with our clients than do lawyers in bigger cities," Mrs. Amsler said. "We not only have to be lawyers but ministers and counselors. Sometimes our clients don't have a legal problem at all - they just need someone to talk to." That "someone to talk to" is often Mrs. Amsler who said she has gotten a number of divorce cases since she started full-time practice. "I think there are a lot of women who would rather talk to a woman lawyer," she said. "I think they feel I'll better understand their situation." Amsler concurred with his wife. "There are just a whole bunch of women who want a woman lawyer. Then, too, we don't charge people for talking to them," he said. "If you go to a larger city, a lawyer is going to charge you for the time he spends with you. Here, people come in all the time to ask a question. They don't expect to pay, and I don't charge them. I'd rather help keep them out of trouble than have to get them out later."
      Margaret Harris Amsler wrote in a 3 Oct 1979 letter: In a moment of mental aberration, I allowed the Texas Supreme Court to appoint me to the Board of Law Examiners. In July of this year we had 1744 applicants take the bar exam and I have just finished grading 1744 blue books. This type of activity is no way to spend one's golden years, so I asked the Court not to re-appoint me at the end of my term, October 1st. During the grading process, I retire from the human race, and it is good now to be back. 
Death of Spouse11 Nov 1990 Her husband Sam Houston Amsler Jr. died on 11 Nov 1990 at Waco, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Death*12 May 2002 She died at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas, on 12 May 2002 at age 93.1 
Burial*say 15 May 2002 Her body was interred say 15 May 2002 at McGregor City Cemetery, McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas.1 

Family

Sam Houston Amsler Jr.
Marriage*14 Sep 1942 She married Sam Houston Amsler Jr. at Waco, McLennan Co., Texas, on 14 Sep 1942 at age 34. 
Child
  • Frederika Amsler
Last Edited21 Jun 2014

Citations

  1. Find a Grave (online database)
    http://www.findagrave.com
    ind A Grave Memorial# 6475226.

Dorothy Amsler

Female, #15726, (Apr 1912 - Jun 1920)
Father*Sam Houston Amsler
Mother*Lucy Puckett
Birth*Apr 1912 Dorothy was born in Apr 1912. 
Death*Jun 1920 She died at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas, in Jun 1920 at age 8. 
Burial* Her body was interred at McGregor City Cemetery, McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
ChartsBenjamin (son of Joseph) Culpepper of Edgecombe Co., NC: Descendant Chart
John Culpepper of Randolph Co, AL: Descendant Chart
Last Edited22 Dec 2002

Elizabeth Amsler

Female, #15727, (1 Nov 1921 - Jun 1972)
Father*Sam Houston Amsler
Mother*Lucy Puckett
Married Name Her married name was Leavitt. 
Birth*1 Nov 1921 Elizabeth was born at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas, on 1 Nov 1921. 
Marriage* She married Edmund Leavitt. 
Death of Mother21 Dec 1932 Her mother Lucy Puckett died on 21 Dec 1932 at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Death of Father9 Dec 1966 Her father Sam Houston Amsler died on 9 Dec 1966 at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Death*Jun 1972 She died at Texas in Jun 1972 at age 50. 
Burial* Her body was interred at McGregor City Cemetery, McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Biography* Lena Amsler wrote in an 11 May 1950 letter: Sam's daughter and family also live here in McGregor - The husband works in our store. 

Family

Edmund Leavitt
Marriage* She married Edmund Leavitt. 
Children
  • Edmund Jeffry Leavitt
  • Joel Leavitt
ChartsBenjamin (son of Joseph) Culpepper of Edgecombe Co., NC: Descendant Chart
John Culpepper of Randolph Co, AL: Descendant Chart
Last Edited9 Jul 1999

Edmund Leavitt

Male, #15728, (28 Feb 1920 - Jun 1975)
Birth*28 Feb 1920 Edmund was born on 28 Feb 1920. 
Employment* Edmund's occupation: S. Amsler Co.. 
Marriage* He married Elizabeth Amsler. 
Death of SpouseJun 1972 His wife Elizabeth Amsler died in Jun 1972 at Texas. 
Death*Jun 1975 He died at Longview, Gregg Co., Texas, in Jun 1975 at age 55. 

Family

Elizabeth Amsler
Children
  • Edmund Jeffry Leavitt
  • Joel Leavitt
Last Edited9 Jul 1999

Walter Scott Amsler Jr.

Male, #15737, (28 Nov 1921 - 4 Mar 1945)
Father*Walter Scott Amsler
Mother*Alta Harper
Birth*28 Nov 1921 Walter was born on 28 Nov 1921. 
World War II*between 1942 and 1945 He served in World War II between 1942 and 1945
(U.S. Army pilot.) 
Death*4 Mar 1945 He died at Ledo, India, on 4 Mar 1945 at age 23. 
Burial*26 May 1948 His body was interred on 26 May 1948 at McGregor City Cemetery, McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Biography*  Lena Amsler wrote in a 17 Sep 17 letter that "Scotty belonged to the great Texas U. band and played trumpet. In a 29 Jun 1978 letter Lena Amsler wrote: Scotty, Walt's son was a student at the University of Texas but joined the Air Force in his Senior year - He was so determined to fly and loved it so much that I think he would have preferred the fate he had rather than not fly.... Scotty did not marry.
      The following is from a memorial pamphlet: In Memorium Memorial Service in Honor of the former 1st Lt. Walter S. Amsler, Jr. (Scotty) FIRST METHODIST CHURCH McGregor, Texas Final Interment in McGregor Cemetery Wednesday, May 26, 1948 Born November 28th, 1921 Died in plane crash at Ledo, India (Was riding as passenger, on an Army C-47, in which accident all 27 person aboard were lost.) Pilot, U. S. Army Air Force--11th Squadron, 13th Combat Cargo Group, 10th Air Force, in the China-Burma-India Theater. Holder of the Army Air Medal, with 4 oak leaf clusters; Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 oak leaf clusters. Had 807 1/2 hours of Combat Flying Time. Twenty-Five Months in the Military Service of his Country, nine of those overseas. Remains were originally interred at Ledo, India; were later removed to Calcuta, and of necessity to be removed again; hence to home burial lot. Officiating Ministers: Rev. J. Fred Patterson, McGregor Rev. Ernest Roper, Waco Rev. A. K. Marney, Mart Formerly U. S. Army Chaplin Active Pallbearers: Eugene Cuenod Burnard Byford Buford Hitt Johnnie Bennett Thomas E. Mooney Bobbie Williams Honorary Pallbearers: Robert Amsler William C. Pool Lawrence Naler Raymond Collins Arthur Hamilton Durward Brooks Billy Joe Hamilton John D. Anderson Wade Herring Morris Parker Donaldson Jack E. Mitchell John Arman Hogan Walstein Smith, Jr. Edward A. McGaughy Escort Lt. Schelde
      Mrs. Travis (Jacqueline Lorenz) McClinton recorded W. S. Amsler, Jr.'s tombstone in a 28 Aug 1988 letter: Walter S. Amsler, Jr. (Scotty) 28 Nov 1921 - 4 Mar 1945 (TX I LT AIR CORPS WWII.) 
ChartsBenjamin (son of Joseph) Culpepper of Edgecombe Co., NC: Descendant Chart
John Culpepper of Randolph Co, AL: Descendant Chart
Last Edited18 Oct 2008

Robert Witt Amsler

Male, #15738, (16 Apr 1915 - 19 May 1977)
Father*Arthur Cleveland Amsler
Mother*Roberta Witt
Birth*16 Apr 1915 Robert was born at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas, on 16 Apr 1915. 
Employment* Robert's occupation: University of TX. 
Marriage* He married Elizabeth McGilvry. 
Death of Spouse12 May 1957 His wife Elizabeth McGilvry died on 12 May 1957 at Texas. 
Death of Mother19 Oct 1974 His mother Roberta Witt died on 19 Oct 1974 at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Death of Father23 May 1975 His father Arthur Cleveland Amsler died on 23 May 1975 at McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Death*19 May 1977 He died at Arlington, Tarrant Co., Texas, on 19 May 1977 at age 62. 
Burial* His body was interred at McGregor City Cemetery, McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Biography*  Lena Amsler wrote in a 29 Jun 1978 letter: Robert, Cleve's son, was our brilliant member - He was a Phi Beta Kappa with his B. A., M. A., and Ph. D. degrees all from the University of Texas and was teaching History and was associate dean of the Arts Department at the University of Texas at Arlington when he died.
According to notes from Lena Amsler, Robert left "his body to science." Lena added in a 17 Sep 1978 letter that Robert "played the clarinet...." Lena Amsler wrote in a 16 Jun 1978 letter that Robert died 19 May 1977 but Mrs. Travis (Jacqueline Lorenz) McClinton recorded Robert W. Amsler's tombstone in the McGregor City Cemetery as having the dates: 1915 - 1957. Robert's wife died in 1957 but Robert was noted as still living in 1975 in the obituary for his father. 

Family

Elizabeth McGilvry
Marriage* He married Elizabeth McGilvry. 
Children
  • Malcolm Matt Amsler
  • Melissa M. Amsler
ChartsBenjamin (son of Joseph) Culpepper of Edgecombe Co., NC: Descendant Chart
John Culpepper of Randolph Co, AL: Descendant Chart
Last Edited9 Jul 1999

Elizabeth McGilvry

Female, #15739, (1918 - 12 May 1957)
Married Name Her married name was Amsler. 
Marriage* She married Robert Witt Amsler. 
Birth*1918 Elizabeth was born at Louisiana in 1918. 
Death*12 May 1957 She died at Texas on 12 May 1957. 
Burial* Her body was interred at McGregor City Cemetery, McGregor, McLennan Co., Texas. 
Biography* Lena Amlser wrote in a 29 Jun 1978 letter: Robert's wife was Betty McGilvary from New Orleans - Robert met her when he was stationed there during the war.
But Mrs. Travis (Jacqueline Lorenz) McClinton recorded Elizabeth's name from her tombstone in the McGregor City Cemetery in a 29 Aug 1988 letter: Elizabeth McGilvry Amsler_____1918 - 1957
Lena also gave Elizabeth's date of birth as 20 Sep 1920 but the tombstone listed her year of birth as 1918. In a 3 Oct 1979 letter, Mrs. S. H. (Margaret Harris) Amsler, wrote that Mrs. Donald (Melissa Amsler) McBroom's mother, Elizabeth, was an orphan and she had died when Melissa was a baby. 

Family

Robert Witt Amsler
Children
  • Malcolm Matt Amsler
  • Melissa M. Amsler
Last Edited9 Jul 1999

Harmon Horlbeck Geiger

Male, #15746, (29 Sep 1797 - 1868)
Father*John Randolph Geiger
Mother*Elizabeth Murff
Birth*29 Sep 1797 Harmon was born at Orangeburg District, South Carolina, on 29 Sep 1797. 
Marriage*circa 1819 He married Lavinia Kaigler at Lexington District, South Carolina, circa 1819. 
Death of Father18 Jan 1836 His father John Randolph Geiger died on 18 Jan 1836 at Edgefield District, South Carolina. 
1850 Census* Harmon was listed as the head of a family on the 1850 Census at Jasper Co., Georgia. 
Death of Spouse11 Nov 1852 His wife Lavinia Kaigler died on 11 Nov 1852. 
Marriage*1 Feb 1854 He married Margaret C. Musgrove at Walton Co., Georgia, on 1 Feb 1854 at age 56. 
Death of Mother10 Sep 1855 His mother Elizabeth Murff died on 10 Sep 1855 at Jasper Co., Georgia. 
Death*1868 He died at Shady Dale, Jasper Co., Georgia, in 1868. 
Burial* His body was interred at Mount Calvary Methodist Church Cemetery, Jasper Co., Georgia. 
Biography* Harmon migrated during the 1820's to Jasper County, GA, and settled in the Shady Dale area. A list of students attending Shady Dale Academy in 1837 was signed by Harman H. Geiger as one of the trustees. That year, four of his children were students. He and his family were prominent members of Mt Zion, later Mt Calvary Methodist Church in the Shady Dale area where Gabriel T. Spearman preached. 

Family 1

Lavinia Kaigler
Marriage*circa 1819 He married Lavinia Kaigler at Lexington District, South Carolina, circa 1819. 

Family 2

Margaret C. Musgrove
Marriage*1 Feb 1854 He married Margaret C. Musgrove at Walton Co., Georgia, on 1 Feb 1854 at age 56. 
Last Edited21 Apr 2019

Lavinia Kaigler

Female, #15747, (15 Feb 1800 - 11 Nov 1852)
Father*Michael Kaigler
Mother*Elizabeth Saylor
Birth*15 Feb 1800 Lavinia was born on 15 Feb 1800. 
Marriage*circa 1819 She married Harmon Horlbeck Geiger at Lexington District, South Carolina, circa 1819. 
Married Namecirca 1819  As of circa 1819, her married name was Geiger. 
Death*11 Nov 1852 She died on 11 Nov 1852 at age 52. 

Family

Harmon Horlbeck Geiger
Last Edited5 Nov 2004

Margaret C. Musgrove

Female, #15748, (circa 1800 - )
Birth*circa 1800 Margaret was born circa 1800. 
Marriage*1 Feb 1854 She married Harmon Horlbeck Geiger at Walton Co., Georgia, on 1 Feb 1854. 
Married Name1 Feb 1854  As of 1 Feb 1854, her married name was Geiger. 

Family

Harmon Horlbeck Geiger
Last Edited5 Nov 2004

John Jacob Geiger

Male, #15749, (29 Dec 1801 - 1869)
Father*John Randolph Geiger
Mother*Elizabeth Murff
Birth*29 Dec 1801 John was born at Orangeburg District, South Carolina, on 29 Dec 1801. 
Marriage* He married Sarah (?). 
Death of Father18 Jan 1836 His father John Randolph Geiger died on 18 Jan 1836 at Edgefield District, South Carolina. 
Death of Mother10 Sep 1855 His mother Elizabeth Murff died on 10 Sep 1855 at Jasper Co., Georgia. 
Death*1869 He died at Newton Co., Georgia, in 1869. 

Family

Sarah (?)
Last Edited30 Dec 2002

Sarah (?)

Female, #15750, (circa 1804 - )
Married Name Her married name was Geiger. 
Marriage* She married John Jacob Geiger. 
Birth*circa 1804 Sarah was born circa 1804. 

Family

John Jacob Geiger
Last Edited5 Nov 2004